Bears Open 2010 Season in Solider Field

Chicago Bears Open 2010 Season in Solider Field

Photo Courtest of Sports Illustrated/Getty Images

The Chicago Bears open the 2010 season in Soldier Field for the first time since 2004 against the Detroit Lions. Do not be fooled however by opponent #1, the Bears will face the 13th most difficult schedule in the NFL this year. The Bears ended the 2009 season 7-9 and after a major revamping of the coaching staff they will attempt to achieve greatness under the high flying offense of new offensive coordinator, Mike Martz.

The Bears will basically split their season in half with a bye in week 8. The talk of the town is that the Bears will have to pad their record heading into the bye week, for the 1st half of their season is considered much easier than the 2nd. The hardest opponents the Bears will have to face in the first 7 games of the season include; the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and if all goes as planned for Washington with the addition of QB McNabb who has also shown a recent desire for WR Terrell Owens they could be a possible threat.

On the other side of the schedule, the Bears will need to have their teamwork down pat as they will face in order; the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, and the Green Bay Packers. The Bears will host the Vikings (11/14), the Eagles (11/28), the Patriots (12/12), and the Jets (12/26) hopefully giving them some advantage during some of their most difficult games late in the season.

The Bears started the Free Agency with a couple bold moves right off the bat, acquiring Chester Taylor, Brandon Manumaleuna, and Julius Peppers. The Bears, however, have left a couple key positions open while entering the draft, including; free safety, offensive guard, offensive tackle, cornerback, defensive end (not a true need), and a possible back up QB. If Chicago fans have anything to say about the draft there will be multiple solid additions to the O-Line as Cutler is now expected to throw 30+ passes every game while in Martz offense. Lovie Smith, and coaching staff has done a better job keeping their plans for the draft a secret, unlike their job keeping their current player moves a secret as seen with Alex Brown and potentially Greg Olsen.

It is looking like a tough year for the Chicago Bears this year, however, with some important additions in an attempt to right this ship we look forward to the 2010 season. I'm ChiN8 and I want to thank you for choosing Windy City Sportz for all your Chicago news.  

Hello Peppers, goodbye... Brown?

 Hello Peppers, Goodbye... Brown?

Sources say the Bears recently placed veteran defense lineman Alex Brown on the trading block. If the Bears cannot move Alex Brown by the draft, they are expected to release the 30 years old, 9-year lineman.

Some say the writing was on the walls, especially after the blockbuster signing of Julius Peppers this offseason.. but does this move really make sense? Why would the Bears further weaken one of the most disappointing aspect of an overall underachieving defense?

Recently Bears head coach Lovie Smith stated that Israel Idonije would move from defensive tackle to defensive end, with the expectations of young defensive tackle Mark Anderson and the plethora of draft picks that have yet to see the field.. there just simply isnt enough snaps for everyone. Why though?

Why take a chance on playing younger, inexperienced players when you have a proven veteran and vocal leader already on your current roster who has shown he can still produce at his age?

The only reason this would benefit the Chicago Bears would be if they received a decent WR in return, a decent draft pick(s) or if they used the cap for Browns 2011 season (5.5 million) and spent it on one last free agent signing (a veteran safety). The cap they would save, along with the money they have saved by cutting players like Nathan Vasher, should be enough to pry someone like O.J. Atogwe away from the Rams.. something that even the Chicago Bears players are being vocal about.

In the end, this is a sticky situation for the Bears. Alex Brown has given everything he has to the Chicago Bears Organization for the past 9 years, since he was drafted in the 4th round, and desereves to retire a Bear. Let's hope the Bears organization has a bigger plan that will improve this team immediately, because expending a proven player such as Brown for late round draft prospects (potential busts) will only waste another year of a defense that is getting older and closer to rebuilding an entire team. The window is closing for this Bears team.. Let's hope they know what they're doing.